Tasting- Alamos Malbec

Name: Alamos
Variety:  Malbec
Region:  Argentina
Country: South America
Year: 2010
Price: $22

Winery review: The Alamos Malbec has dark, blackish purple color. The nose shows ripe black fruits, black pepper spice and floral notes. The mouthfeel is full yet soft and supple, with black raspberry and currant flavors mingled with notes of sweet spice and a touch of leather. The finish is long and persistent with soft, sweet tannins.

 

My review: This wine had a heavy, dark and delicious feel to it.  It had flavors of darker berries yet was smooth with little to no alcohol burn.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting- Heron Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Heron
Variety:  Cabernet Sauvignon
Region:  California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $23

Winery review: This is a delicious, well-made value Cabernet with vibrant red fruit, black currant, and perfectly balanced oak. Subtle fresh herb notes appear on the finish, keeping things interesting.

 

My review: This wine was delicious, it had a little bit of oak but just enough fruity flavor to keep it from overpowering the wine.  I really enjoyed it.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting- Garnacha de Fuego

Name: Garnacha de Fuego
Variety:  Grenache
Region:  Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $20
Winery review: A glass-coating opaque purple color, it offers up aromas of pure black cherries and violets. Dense on the palate and remarkably rich for its humble price, this great value over-delivers big-time.

 

My review: This wine was horrible.  I would never drink this again.  It was extremely dry and didn't have a lot of taste for the amount of alcohol burn it provided.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting- Bridgeview Blue Moon Riesling

Name: Bridge View Blue Moon
Variety:  Riesling
 Region:  Oregon
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $22
Winery review: Flavors of ripe apples, apricot nectar, and grapefruit with aromas of honeysuckle. Well balanced, lively and crisp with refreshing acidity on the finish.

 

My review: This was an extremely fruity and tart wine.  It did have a little bit of a bite at the end.  I really enjoyed it.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting- Mano a Mano Tempranillpo

Name: Mano a Mano
Variety:  Tempranillo
Region:  La Manchea
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $9

Winery review: An inky/purple colored wine along with a ripe, deep nose offers cherry liqueur, earth, coffee and dark chocolate. Rich, weighty and thick, with impressive power to the cherry and blackberry flavors. The sweetness carries through the broad, long finish which has hints of the coffee and chocolate.

 

My review: This was a good wine, it was very dark and heavy.  It did offer a little bit of a cough syrup taste that I did not like very much though.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting- Franzia White Zinfandel

Name: Franzia White Zinfandel
Variety:  Zinfandel
Region:  California
Country: USA
Year: 2006
Price: $15
Winery review: A refreshing crisp blush California wine with delicate strawberry aromas.

 

My review: This wine was very sweet and crisp.  It had strawberry and fruity flavors that really gave it a little something extra. Also extremely cheap!

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting- Crane Lake Moscato

Name: Crane Lake Moscato
Variety:  Moscato
Region:  California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $9

Winery review: This sweet wine is light in color with floral aromas including notes of orange blossom, jasmine and honeysuckle. Flavors include peach, melon and spice.

 

My review: Extremely sweet wine.  It was almost too sweet and it was also very watery.

I tasted this on its own with no food.